Hair treatment fluid application device

ABSTRACT

A hair treatment fluid application device includes a flexible container for containing a hair treatment fluid, an applicator body having outlet orifices for applying the hair treatment fluid to hair, the flexible container having a passage opening for allowing egress of the hair treatment fluid from the flexible container to the applicator body, a housing for accommodating the flexible container, an air pump for exerting pressure on the flexible container for forcing the hair treatment fluid from the flexible container through the passage opening to the applicator body by deforming the flexible container and a driver for driving the pressure means.

The invention relates to a hair treatment fluid application devicecomprising a flexible container for containing said hair treatmentfluid, an applicator body having outlet orifices for applying said hairtreatment fluid to hair, said flexible container having a passageopening for allowing egress of said hair treatment fluid from saidflexible container to said applicator body, and a housing foraccommodating said flexible container.

Such a device is known from WO-A1-99/26510. In this document a haircoloring kit is described which makes use of a flexible bag which Isinserted into a bottle made from a resiliently deformable plasticsmaterial. A support tube is Inserted into the bag through an openingthereof By using an insert, which surrounds the tube at the position ofthe opening of the bag, the bag is attached to the bottle such thatfluid material can only be transported into or out of the bag throughthe tube. On top of the insert a valve member and a spout can beattached. The spout leads to a brush/comb-like applicator. Typically,the flexible bag is already filled with a first material, such ashydrogen peroxide. A second material is added to this first materialthrough the tube after the bag has been inserted into the bottle. Inorder to apply this mixed material to hair, the bottle is squeezed bythe user, causing a compression of air within the bottle and collapsingof the bag such that the mixing fluid is forced out through the tube andthrough the valve member which prevents suck-back of fluid into the bag.The bottle is squeezed repeatedly by the user with whatever pressure andfrequency Is deemed appropriate to the circumstances.

WO-A2-00/49905 describes several embodiments of a hair dye applicator.These embodiments have in common that they make use of a collapsiblefluid container which basically has the shape of a bag. This containeris placed within an air container having an open outer end. At the sideof this open outer end, the fluid container is attached to the aircontainer with the open side of the fluid container also being locatedat the open outer end of the air container. The applicator additionallycomprises a hollow brush cover which is attachable to the air container.In the attached state the inner volume of the brush cover is incommunication with the inner volume of the fluid container. The spacebetween the outside of the fluid container and the inside of the aircontainer is hermetically sealed. Through a valve system, however, airmay be supplied to the space in order to increase the pressure and tocollapse the fluid container for pressing the contents of the fluidcontainer towards the brush cover.

All above described devices are rather cumbersome to operate by a user,especially when this user is not really familiar with this operation anduses such a device, for example, for the first time. In practice thismeans that spillage of fluids is likely to occur, all the more since theapplication of the fluids to the hair usually takes place when the headis awkwardly positioned. The user who applies such fluids to his/her ownhair does not have full sight of this application and may easily apply(locally) too much fluid to the hair.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a solution orimprovements regarding the above mentioned drawbacks of the devicesaccording to the state of the art. To achieve this, the device accordingto the invention comprises pressure means for exerting pressure on saidflexible container for forcing said hair treatment fluid from saidflexible container through said passage opening to said applicator bodyby deforming said flexible container, and comprises driving means fordriving said pressure means.

The use of such pressure means renders possible a very well controlledapplication of hair treatment fluid to hair without the need of anymanual operation. The pressure means are preferably located within thehousing in order to attain a very compact construction.

The spillage of fluid can be advantageously prevented if the passageopening is embodied by a one-way valve member. Such a valve member doesnot allow the passage of the contents of hair treatment fluid within theflexible container through its opening unless the pressure which isbeing exerted upon this valve member by this fluid exceeds a certainthreshold value. Such a one-way valve member also prevents the backflowof hair treatment fluid to the container.

Such a backflow is also prevented when alternatively the housing isprovided with a one-way valve member for hair treatment fluid which hasissued through the passage opening. In such a construction, the one wayvalve member is not a disposable article that can be used for differentcontainers.

One advantageous embodiment of the pressure means is provided when thepressure means comprise an air pump for increasing the air pressurewithin at least part of the housing. The use of such an air pump reducesthe need of mechanical moving parts within the housing.

In order to prevent the occurrence of too high pressures within thehousing, the housing is preferably provided with vent means forreleasing air from the housing as soon as the air pressure within thehousing exceeds a certain threshold value.

A very advantageous alternative embodiment of the pressure means isobtained if the pressure means comprise moving means for moving apressure body against the flexible container. The moving pressure bodydeforms the flexible container, thus decreasing its inner volume andforcing its contents out of the flexible container. Such a pressure bodymay be a piston for which preferably the housing acts as a cylinder. Avery simple construction may be obtained in this way.

Alternatively, the pressure body may be a roller element which isrotatable about an axis extending perpendicularly to the direction ofmovement. Such a roller element may very efficiently squeeze out all thefluid contents from the flexible container.

A very simple construction is provided if in operation the rollerelement squeezes said flexible container against an inner surface of thehousing.

According to a very advantageous embodiment, the application device isprovided with reset means for returning the pressure body to an initialposition. Due to such reset means, the pressure body such as a piston ora roller element can be returned when the contents have been fullysqueezed out, or at any time before the full consumption of thecontents. In that case a switch is to be provided which may be operated,for example, manually or automatically when the pressure body passes acertain point. Upon activation of this switch, the moving means, forexample an electric motor of which the connection terminals areinterchanged, will change direction, thus bringing back the piston orroller to its initial position.

The invention and its features will be apparent from the followingdescription of three preferred embodiments of the invention asillustrated in the accompanying diagranmmatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of adevice according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of thedevice according to the invention, and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of adevice according to the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a hair dye applicator 1. This applicator 1 comprisesa housing 2 mainly consisting of a gripping part 3 and a hair dye part4. At the bottom of the hair dye part 4, a hollow comb body 5 isattached to the hair dye part 4. The comb body 5 comprises hollow pins 6having outlet openings 7 near their free ends. The gripping part 3 andthe hair dye part 4 are hinged together by a film hinge 8. In the closedposition as illustrated in FIG. 1, the gripping part 3 and the hair dyepart 4 are connected to each other in a location referenced 9 such thatthe inner volumes of gripping part 3 and hair dye part 4 are separatedfrom each other airtight by a separation plate 10 which forms part ofthe gripping part 3. In the open position, in which the gripping part 3has been rotated through 90 degrees, an opening 11 is created whichallows the introduction of a flexible bag 12 filled with a hair dyefluid 13 into hair dye part 4. The flexible bag 12 may very suitably bemade of thin-wall PE of 0.15 mm thick, although alternative materialsmay obviously be used, as will be clear to the person skilled in theart. The bag is provided with a one-way valve 14 having centrally aclosable opening 15 which is opened as soon as enough pressure isexerted on this one-way valve 14 from the inside of bag 12 by fluid 13.The one-way valve is at a position outside the bag 12 provided with acircumferential groove with which it can be detachably gripped within anopening (Detail A) at the bottom of hair dye part 4 of the housing 2.This way the risk of contents getting spilled within the hair dye pair 4is eliminated.

Within the gripping part 3, an electric motor 16 is provided whichpowers an air pump 17 which delivers air via a tube 18 into the airtighthair dye part 4. A switch 20 is present on the outside of gripping part3 for the control of the motor 16, whereas batteries, for example two ofthe AA size dry cell type, can be accommodated within a space 21 of thegripping part 3 for the electrical power supply to motor 16.

An air valve 19 is present within the separating plate 10 at the end oftube 18. The one-way air valve 19 ensures that air will only flow intothe hair dye part 4 and will not flow from the hair dye part via valve19. Introducing air within the hair dye part 4 increases the airpressure within the hair dye part 4, causing an increased air pressureto act on flexible bag 12 and hair dye fluid 13. If sufficiently high,this pressure will cause the hair dye fluid 13 to pass through theopening in the bottom of flexible bag 12 and through opening 15 ofone-way valve 14, after which the hair dye fluid 13 will be distributedover the pins 6 and leave the comb body through outlet openings 7 toreach the hair.

If for some reason, for example because the flexible bag 12 has beencompletely emptied, the pressure increases too much within the hair dyepart 4, a vent button 22 will deform in such a way that air my leave thehair dye part 4. Applicator 31 illustrated in FIG. 2 has the sameconfiguration as applicator 1 in FIG. 1 in certain respects. Again wehave a housing 32 mainly consisting of a gripping part 33 and a hair dyepart 34. At the bottom of the hair dye pail 34, a comb body 35 isattached having downwardly extending hollow pins 36 with outlet openings37 at their lower ends. Rotation of the gripping part 33 about filmhinge 38 opens the side of hair dye part 34 facing the gripping part 33,thus allowing the introduction of a flexible bag 39 containing hair dyefluid 40. In the introduced state, the flexible bag 39 lies on top ofone-way valve 41.

A pressure plate 42 attached to the outer end of a toothed rack 43 isprovided for exerting pressure on the flexible bag 39 and the forcingout of hair dye fluid 40 therefrom. This toothed rack 43 co-operateswith a toothed wheel 44. A motor 45 is present within the gripping part33 of applicator 1. In order to reduce the high rpm of the motor to therequired rpm of toothed wheel 44, a gearbox 46 is mechanically coupledto the outgoing shaft 47 of motor 45. The rotational movement of theoutgoing shaft 48 of gearbox 46, which has two bearings 49, istransmitted to the toothed wheel 44 by miter gear 50. A translatorymovement of toothed rack 43 in the direction of flexible bag 39 willcause this flexible bag 39 to be pressed against pressure plate 51,which plate 51 is an integral part of hair dye part 34, so that hair dyefluid 40 will leave this flexible bag 39 through its opening and throughthe opening of one-way valve 41, after which it will distribute over thepins 36 of comb body 35 and finally leave this comb body 35 throughoutlets openings 37.

Applicator 61 as illustrated In FIG. 3 again has a comparableconfiguration as applicator 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. In order to avoidunnecessary repetitions of the description, only the part of thisapplicator 61 will be described which enables the forcing out of hairdye fluids 62 from flexible bag 63. In this device a roller drum 64 isused for rolling over the filled flexible bag 63, thus squeezing out itscontents. The flexible bag 63 is placed upon a flat surface 65 whichextends both through the gripping part 66 and through the hair dye part75. The roller drum 64 is loaded by spring 67 which is operable betweenthe roller drum 64 and a translation body 68 having an internalscrewthread. This internal screwthread cooperates with a spindle screw69 which is journaled at its outer ends by bearings 70,71. Therotational drive of the spindle screw 69 is provided by a motor 72 whoserotational speed is reduced by gearbox 73. Rotation of the spindle screw69 causes the translation body 68 with the roller drum 64 to perform atransverse movement along the spindle screw. During this movement, theroller drum 64 rolls over the flexible bag 63, thus squeezing out itscontents.

Although all above described embodiments are provided with a film hingebetween a gripping part and a hair dye part, alternative embodiments arepossible within the spirit of the invention. For example, instead ofsuch a film hinge exposing the flexible bag, the hollow comb body couldbe constructed so as to be detachable from the hair dye part. Theone-way valve such as, for example the one-way valve 14 of FIG. 1,together with the flexible bag 12, may then be pulled from the hair dyepart, by simply releasing a snap fit. Other than the bags describedabove, such a flexible bag could then be detached from the one-way valveby pulling the two apart. Upon changing to a new bag or recharging withthe old one (in the case of the same colorant being used after washingof the bag), the bag may be fitted with the one-way valve again in thatthe opening of the bag is slightly stretched so as to position itselfinto a groove at the outer circumference of the one-way valve. The bagis fully sealed by the one way valve; and upon placing back into thehair dye part, the one way valve is secured by the snap fit again. Thisway of exchanging a bag is suitable in particular for embodiments with amoving piston according to FIG. 2 or a roller drum according to FIG. 3.

In addition to the main switch of the main motor or combined with thisswitch, a switch 52 of FIG. 2 or 74 of FIG. 3 may be provided forreturning the pressure plate 42 or the roller drum 64 to its initialposition. Upon activation of this switch, the connection terminals ofthe electric motor 45, 72 are interchanged, which will cause therotation of the outgoing axis to be reversed, thus bringing back thepiston or roller drum to its initial position.

1. A hair treatment fluid application device comprising; an applicatorbody having outlet orifices for applying said hair treatment fluid tohair, a flexible container for containing said hair treatment fluid,said flexible container having a passage opening for allowing egress ofsaid hair treatment fluid from said flexible container to saidapplicator body a housing for accommodating said flexible container,pressure means for exerting pressure on said flexible container forforcing said hair treatment fluid from said flexible container throughsaid passage opening to said applicator body by deforming said flexiblecontainer, and driving means for driving said pressure means, whereinsaid pressure means comprises an air pump for increasing air pressurewithin at least part of said housing.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1,wherein said pressure means are located within said housing.
 3. A deviceas claimed in claim 1, wherein said passage opening is embodied by aone-way valve member.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidhousing is provided with a one-way valve member for hair treatment fluidwhich has issued through said passage opening to the exterior.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the driving means comprises an electric motorfor driving the air pump.
 6. The device of claim 5, further comprising aswitch external to the housing for selectively supplying electric powerto the electric motor.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said electricpower is supplied by a battery disposed with the housing.
 8. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first part for holding theflexible container, and a second part for gripping the device, the firstand second parts being separated form each other by a separating plate.9. The device of claim 8, wherein the air pump is disposed in the secondpart of the housing and the air pump increases the pressure within thefirst part of the housing.
 10. The device of claim 9, further comprisinga one-way air valve between the first and second parts of the housing,wherein the air pump supplies air to first part of the housing throughthe one way air valve.
 11. The device of claim 8, further comprising arotatable hinge connecting the first part of the housing to the secondpart of the housing.
 12. The device of claim 8, further comprising aone-way air valve between the first and second parts of the housing,wherein the air pump supplies air to first part of the housing throughthe one way air valve.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the housingcomprises: a first part defining a first cavity for enclosing theflexible container therein; and a second part defining a second cavityfor enclosing the air pump and driving means therein, the first andsecond cavities being separated from each other by a separating plate.14. The device of claim 13, further comprising a one-way air valvebetween the first and second parts of the housing, wherein the air pumpsupplies air to the first part of the housing through the one way airvalve.
 15. A hair treatment fluid application device comprising aflexible container for containing said hair treatment fluid, anapplicator body having outlet orifices for applying said hair treatmentfluid to hair, said flexible container having a passage opening forallowing egress of said hair treatment fluid from said flexiblecontainer to said applicator body and a housing for accommodating saidflexible container, characterized by pressure means for exertingpressure on said flexible container for forcing said hair treatmentfluid from said flexible container through said passage opening to saidapplicator body by deforming said flexible container, and by drivingmeans for driving said pressure means, and characterized in that saidpart of said housing is provided with air release means for releasingair from said housing as soon as the air pressure within said part ofsaid housing exceeds a certain threshold value.